Tottenham to launch £61m bid for ‘unbelievable’ Prem star after Liverpool enter race

Tottenham Hotspur have dramatically intensified their efforts to sign Bournemouth’s highly-rated centre-back Illya Zabarnyi, according to new reports. The North London club are looking to beat off competition from European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool, with a blockbuster double transfer potentially taking shape this summer.

 

There has been a flurry of activity at Spurs since the managerial change that saw Thomas Frank appointed as head coach. Frank, who left Brentford to replace Ange Postecoglou, takes the reins after Postecoglou led Tottenham to Europa League glory last season — ending the club’s 17-year trophy drought. However, despite that continental success, the Australian was dismissed due to a disappointing league campaign, prompting Spurs to hit the reset button under new leadership.

 

Already this summer, Spurs have been proactive in the transfer market. They’ve turned loan deals for defender Kevin Danso and exciting forward Mathys Tel into permanent transfers. Additionally, they have added Japanese centre-back Kota Takai and secured the signature of dynamic attacker Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United.

 

Now, Spurs have turned their focus to bolstering their backline with the acquisition of Illya Zabarnyi — one of the Premier League’s breakout defenders from last season. The 22-year-old Ukrainian has grown into a commanding and composed presence at the heart of Bournemouth’s defence, drawing plaudits from pundits and teammates alike. His Cherries teammate Philip Billing even described him as “unbelievable,” a testament to Zabarnyi’s influence and maturity at such a young age.

 

With Bournemouth already having sold Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez earlier in the window, Zabarnyi may be the next rising star to leave the south coast for a bigger stage. According to CaughtOffside, Tottenham have formally initiated contact with the Ukrainian international after learning that PSG’s pursuit of the defender has hit a roadblock.

 

While PSG have reportedly reached a personal agreement with Zabarnyi, they have so far failed to meet Bournemouth’s financial demands. The Cherries are holding firm on their €70 million (£61m) valuation — a price tag that has put negotiations on ice. In contrast, Tottenham are reportedly ready to meet those demands in full and may even exceed the €70m mark when performance-related bonuses are factored in.

 

This bold stance signals Tottenham’s intent to beat not only PSG but also Liverpool to the player’s signature. Liverpool have entered the race for Zabarnyi as they consider long-term replacements for injury-prone centre-back Ibrahima Konaté. Newcastle United and Chelsea have also been monitoring the situation, but it’s Spurs who have made the most aggressive approach thus far.

 

Although Zabarnyi is currently said to be leaning toward a move to Paris, primarily due to the allure of Champions League football following PSG’s recent success in Europe, that deal is far from certain. If PSG decide Bournemouth’s price tag is too steep and back out of talks, it could clear the path for Spurs to complete a major coup.

 

But Tottenham’s ambitions this summer don’t stop at Zabarnyi. Reports suggest they are also pushing hard to land Dutch attacking sensation Xavi Simons. The RB Leipzig star, currently on loan from PSG, has been a long-term target for the North London outfit. Spurs have now stepped up talks with Leipzig in an effort to secure Simons’ signature before rivals act.

 

It remains unclear whether Simons is being viewed as a potential replacement for Morgan Gibbs-White or as a complementary signing. Spurs had triggered Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause and scheduled a medical, only for the transfer to stall after Nottingham Forest accused the club of breaching Premier League rules by contacting the player prior to activating the clause — a claim now under investigation.

 

If Spurs manage to land both Zabarnyi and Simons, it would represent a major statement of intent by the club’s hierarchy. These deals would significantly bolster Thomas Frank’s options at both ends of the pitch and reinforce Tottenham’s ambition to reassert themselves as serious contenders domestically and in Europe.

 

Meanwhile, Tottenham are also keeping tabs on their midfield options. A fresh report suggests that Spurs are exploring the possibility of signing a holding midfielder from Bayern Munich, and have recently been handed a boost with Bayern said to have dropped their valuation of the unnamed target. With Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s future at the club uncertain and Yves Bissouma struggling with injuries last season, securing a reliable defensive midfielder has become a key priority.

 

As for Cristian Romero, the Argentine’s future remains up in the air. Despite being a mainstay in the Spurs defence and a fan favorite, the 2022 World Cup winner is reportedly attracting interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. While Spurs are determined to keep him, they may be forced into action if an irresistible offer lands on the table.

 

In summary, Tottenham’s summer transfer strategy under Thomas Frank is coming into sharper focus — aggressive, ambitious, and forward-thinking. With talks ongoing for Illya Zabarnyi, potential discussions surrounding Xavi Simons, and midfield reinforcements on the agenda, the club’s recruitment team is working overtime to ensure Spurs have the squad depth and quality required to compete on all fronts in the 2025–26 season.

 

If they can pull off this high-profile double swoop, it could be the beginning of an exciting new chapter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.